Archive Films on Cardiff’s Big Screen

Fri, 29 Oct 10 12:07:00

Shoppers and passers by in the centre of the capital will from this week catch a glimpse of the Cardiff of the past. From this week, archive footage of Cardiff from The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales’ collection will be screened on the BBC’s big screen located outside St David’s Hall.

 

In all, six films from the Archive’s collection will be screened, and will include footage of the Wales Empire Pool in 1968, which was built for the 1958 Empire Games, and also 1940s footage of the dock area. It will also be possible to view footage of the centre of Cardiff during the 1930s, which will include shots of the Queen Street shops, the National Museum and shots of the buses, trams and trains which were in operation at the time.

 

Located at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales is home to a comprehensive and unrivalled collection of films, television programmes, videos, sound and music recordings relating to Wales and Welsh interests.

 

Anwen Pari Jones from The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales said;

 

‘It’s great that films from our collection can now be viewed on the big screen. Hopefully, those passing by will take a minute to watch the films, and it will not only give them an insight into Cardiff’s past, but also, ignite their interest in the Archive’s films. We’re always looking for new ways to share our material, and this is a great new platform.’

 

Executive Member for Cardiff Council’s Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells, said;

 

‘Using the big screen to showcase Cardiff’s past is a fantastic way to tell the story of Cardiff to visitors of the city. It’s poignant that the footage will be screened in the heart of the very modern Cardiff and amongst the new St David’s development.’

 

The films will be available to view from this week.

 

If you’d like more information about the films, or the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, please visit www.archif.com or contact:

 

Anwen Pari Jones: 01970 632 535  

Sion Jobbins: 01970 632 902 post@llgc.org.uk